Gardenscapes is a match-3 puzzle game, where the core gameplay is based on swapping two adjacent elements to make a row or column or group of at least three elements. Every level has a goal, examples of which include collecting a certain number of elements (for example pears, flowers, apples, glasses of lemonade, mystery sacks, berries, fishing floats), locating garden gnomes, digging up emeralds, setting off firecrackers, or removing ivy. Gardenscapes consists of a number of areas. By completing match-3 levels, players earn stars and coins to complete tasks and progress through the storyline by unlocking new areas (like Treehouse Area, Fountains Area, Maze Area).

Players are challenged to complete different tasks and use a wide range of decor items to create their own unique garden with the help of Austin the Butler. Players have the opportunity to make friends with in-game characters, follow them on an in-game social network, and have the company of an animated dog.